Tire-tightener.



Patented Sept. I2, 1899.

c. L. FEnemTT.

TIRE TIGHTENER.

. une 19 1899.)

(N0 Model.)

lJNTTnn STATES PATENT Ormea.

OHARL 1S l1. FERRIOTT, OF BARTLETT, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONFl-HALFTOEDVARD FORD, OF SAME PLACE.

TIRE-TIGHTENER.

SPECF'ICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,706, dated September12, 1899.

Application filed (Tune 19, 1899. Serial No. 721,131. (No model.)

To LZZ whom it 11mg/ concern: The screw 11, which is provided at its in-Beitknown thatI, CHARLES L.' FERRIOTT, a ner end with a head l2, has theflange or procitizen of the United States, residing at Bartjectionformed integral with the same and lett, in the county of Williamson andState of arranged centrally thereon, being disposed 5 Texas, haveinventeda new and useful Tirelongitudinally of the screw. The flange or55 Tightener, of'which the following is a specifiprojection 10 bearsagainst the wall at the cation. inner end of the slot or bifurcation,and the The invention relates to improvements in head 12 fits againstthe end of the spoke at tire-tightenersopposite sides of the said slotor bifurcation,

to The object of the present invention is to whereby the inner end ofthe screw has a firm 6o improve the construction of tire-tightenersbearing against the end of the spoke. and to provide a simple,inexpensive, and The outer reduced portion of the thimble efficientdevice adapted to serve as a spokeis provided with interiorscrew-threads 13, socket and capable of enabling a tire to be which areengaged by the screw, which is held 15 readily tightened or adjusted toprevent a stationary bybeinginterlocked with the outer 65 wheel frombecoming dished. end of the spoke in the manner before de- The inventionconsists in the construction scribed. When it is desired to tighten theand novel combination and arrangement of tire 14, the thimble is rotatedto expand the parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated rim of theWheel, and the device which forms zo in the accompanying drawings, andpointed an eiiicient support for the out-er end of the 7o out in theclaims hereto appended. spoke is adapted to maintain the tire per- Inthe drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional View fectly tight as long as thewheel lasts, whereby of a tire-tightener constructed in accordance thedurability of the wheel is greatly inwith this invention and showing thesimpler creased. Thethimble may be rotated by a 2 5 form thereof. Fig. 2is a detail perspective pipe-wrench or any other suitable tool, and, 75view of the thimble. Fig. 3 is asimilar view if desired, it may beprovided with a wrenchof the screw. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional seat orwith a socket to be engaged by the views showing the preferred form ofmy inprojection of a spanner. vention. In Figs. 3 and 4. of theaccompanying draw- Like numerals of reference designate corings isillustrated the preferred form of my 8o responding parts in all thefigures of the drawinvention, and the outer end of the spoke is ings.supported by a iixed ferrule or sleeve l5, ta-

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, pering as shown and provided,at its outer and 3 of the accompanying drawings, in which end with aninwardly extending annular is illustrated the simpler form of myinvenflange, forming a reduced opening for the re- 85 tion, 1 designatesa thimble receiving the ception of the screw. The inner enlarged outerend 2 of a spoke 3 and provided with portion 17 of the thimble 18 has apolygonal a reduced outer portion 4, forming a tenen outer face andforms a seat for a wrench, and iitting in an opening 5 of a felly 6, andwhereby the thimble may be readily rotated.

4o the shoulder 7, formed by the reduction of The fixed sleeve orferrule of the spoke forms 9o the thimble, engages the felly 6 at theinner awear-plate for the same to prevent the spoke edge thereof, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 1 from being worn by the thimble. of theaccompanying drawings. The spoke 3 The invention has the followingadvanhas its outer end 2 reduced to fit within the tages: The device,which is exceedingly simbody portion of the thimble, and the shoulpleand inexpensive in construction, pos- 95 der S, formed by thisreduction, engages the sesses great strength and durability, and itedges of the thimble. The reduced end 2 of forms an efcientspoke-socketand tire-tightthe spoke is provided with a slot or bifurener. Itisadapted to tighten the tire of a cation 9, arranged at the center andreceivwheel in warm weather, when the wood 5o ing a flange or projection10 of a screw 11. shrinks, and it is capable of adjusting the loo partsto prevent the wheel from becoming dished when the woodwork swells indamp weather.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details ofconstruction Within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted toWithout departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages ofthis invention.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with the rim of awheel, and a spoke having its outer end bifurcated, of a thirnblereceiving the end of the spoke and provided with a reduced outer portionforining a shoulder to engage the rim of the Wheel and interiorlythreaded, and a screw engaging the threads of the thimble and providedat its inner end with a head itting against the end of the spoke andhaving a flange or projection extending into the bifurcation,

whereby the screw is detachably interlocked with the spoke and is heldrigid therewith, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with the rim of awheel, and a spoke of a sleeve or ferrule mounted on the outer end ofthe spoke, a stationary screwinterlocked with the spoke, and a rotarythimble forming a tenon to engage the rim of the wheel, and having itsinner portion enlarged to receive the outer end of the spoke andprovided With a wrench-seat and engaging the sleeve or ferrule,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto ai'ixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. FERRIOTT.

IVitnesses:

ED FORD, Ron'r. JONES.

